Box



June 29, 1937. c. H. WALKER 2,085,458

Filed Nov. 19, 1954 INVENTOR. CLARENCE H WALKER ATTORNEYS.

20 embodied in other forms within the purview of and outer sheets offiber board l-Z enclosing the Patented June 29, 1937 2 35,45g

UNITED STATES ATEhii OFFER BOX 2 Clarence H. Walker, San Mateo, Calif.Application November 19, 1934, Serial No. 753,71}

7 2 Claims. (Cl..229 ----43) p This invention relates to improvements inboxes Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the upper porand more particularlyto fiber boxes for shipping tion of the box with the cover thereon. andthe method of shipping perishables. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentarydetail in Among the objects of the invention is toprovertical section ofa modification in which the 5 duce a thermo-insulating box ofconventional masealing flange forms an integral part of the cover 5terial that will prevent the interchange of interior flange. andexterior atmosphere. Fig. 5 is" a similar View in which the sealingAnother object is to produce such a box withflange on the box is bentoutward to engage the out materially adding to the cost of conventionalflange of the cover. I shipping boxes of the same capacity. Fig. 6 is asimilar view in which the sealing 10 A further object is to stiffen theopen edge of flange is applied to the under side of the cover the box toprevent it springing away from the parallel with the outer flange on thecover to telescoping flange of the cover. form a channel to receive theunflanged edge Other objects and advantages will appear as the of thebox. description progresses. Fig. 71s a similar view showing a greatlyen- 5 In this specification and the accompanying larged detailof thestructure of the cellular board drawing, the invention is disclosed inits preferred prefer bly ed in the S ructure f the box. forms. It is tobe understood, however, that it is In detail, the constructionillustrated in the 7 not limited to these forms because it may bedrawing, referring to F g. Comprises the inner the claims following thedescription. corrugated core 3 of similar material all glued to- Thepresent disclosure relates particularly to gether to form a laminatedassembly s mathe shipment of perishables such as natural terial and thebasic structure of the box are flowers. The cars for such shipments arepro- Co v nt al e pt as improved y the present vided with compartmentscontaining ice over or invention. 25 through which a forced draft of airis directed by e bOX is preferably formed from S e the ventilatingsystem. The danger in any suitsheet of cellular fiber board blanked toform the able system of transportation is not the refrigbott0m4 with theintegral sides and ends 55 and erated or maintained temperature, but itoccurs 66 respect y e ends have the integral when the boxes arewithdrawn or subjected to tabs formedthereon- The Outline of e 30 eithera rise or a drop in temperature in the inbottom 4 and the tabs areindented or scored terior of the boxes. To overcome this effect, it tofacilitate bend ng when the box is set up. The has been the practiceheretofore to ra th tabs fold inward and are joined to the adjacentflowers carefully in paper before boxing and then e ds of the Sides bygluing y e nched to wrapthe boxes with an outer layer of paper. StaplesThis forms the Conventional 35 These precautions consume extra time andmatanglflar O terial besides adding to the weight that must The sidesand ends have e dly extendbe paid for at express rates and reduces thequaned Sealing flanges d ntegra therewith tity of profitable commoditythat can be carried and bendable at the SCOIB 111168 d out 40 in a givencarrier space. away at ll--l2 to form miter joints at l3 when 40 Anothermethod is to refrigerate each box the sealing flanges r folded inward asin Fig. 1. separately with ice, or dry ice, which requires When theflanges 5-5' are flexed inwardly on even greater care in wrapping toexclude air the indented score lines at 9-40, the oppo P circulationthrough the boxes to avoid excessive tions of the walls form cushionswhich urge the dissipation of the cooling element and evaporaflangesupward as in Figs. 1 and 2, see also Fig. 7, 45

Fig. 1 is a perspective View from above lookends 56. The cover endflanges also have intion of the flower moisture by the exchange of Theconventional cover comprises the top H interior and exterior atmosphere.with the down-turned flange I5 adapted to tele- In the one sheet ofdrawings: scope over the upper margins of the sides and ing into an openbox constructed in accordance tegral tabs l5 to join the end flanges tothe 0 with this invention. side flanges E5 to form a flange entirelyencircling Fig. 2 isan enlarged fragmentary detail of a the top of thebox in the usual manner. It is corner of the box before the sealingflanges are preferable to fold the tabs '!'i inward and the bent inward.cover tabs 55' outward to form smooth meeting 55 surfaces between thecover flange l5 and the walls of the box to insure a snug frictionalfit.

When the cover I4 is pressed down on the box, the inclined sealingflanges 5'5 and 66' engage the under side of the cover and are forceddownward against their normal urge upward as previously described. Thesealing flanges present the sharp edges IE to the plane of the coverwhich insures a continuous line contact therewith flexible enough toconform to normal distortions in the plane of the cover l4 and insure asufliciently airtight seal therewith when thebox is roped. It has beendemonstrated that such a box will withstand pressures above atmosphere.It is not the intention to make an airtight box but to seal the boxagainst exchange of interior and exterior air due to drafts, air blasts,expansive and contractive changes in temperature or thermosyphonicaction.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4, the flange 54 is bent outwardto'seal against the flange l5 when the cover is pressed down. In thisinstance, the corners of the flanges are not mitered as at ll-I2 butabut each other at the corners.

The modification in Fig. 5 is a simple reversal of parts with the sameresult. The flange 55 is integral with the flange l5 and is foldedinward and sealed against the sides and ends of the box.

Fig. 5 is a further modification in which the flange 56 is'glued orotherwise fixed to the cover H to form a channel with the flange l5 toenclose the unflanged edge of the box. This type of seal is moreexpensive to produce but has certain advantages, especially in boxes oflarger capacities since the seal is more positive and adds to thestability of the upper portion of the box.

The form shown in Fig. 1 is preferred because of its simplicity, ease ofproduction and manipulation and the further fact that the miteredcorners of the flanges 5'-6 form an internal reinforcing frame for theupper portion of the box.

In extreme cases where additional sealing is desirable, the uppersurfaces of the flanges 56 can be coated with cotton lint, felt or otherfuzzy material.

This improved box is packed and tied with rope or twine in the usualmanner but requires no external wrapping. The cellulate space incidentalto the corrugated core 3 creates a thermo-insulating wall due to thedead air space.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed and desired tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A box having a cover, the walls of said box being internally scoredadjacent the upper edges and adapted to form an encircling inclinedflange, the flange being cut away at the corners of the box and formingmeeting ends adapted to normally hold the flange inclined at an angle tothe under plane of said cover and forming a continuous line contacttherewith.

2. A box and a cover therefor having inner and outer interspaced sheetsadapted to form air insulated enclosing composite walls; an inclinedflange encircling the upper edge of the box and having only a corner ofits edge in contact with the under plane of said cover, the cut angle ofsaid flange at the corners being arranged to maintain the angularinclination of said flange with respect to said cover.

CLARENCE H. WALKER.

